Passport allows instructors to create challenges that a student can complete to earn badges. Purdue’s Passport platform integrates with Mozilla Open Badges. Bill Watson, an assistant professor in Curriculum and Instruction, was instrumental in the creation behind Passport.

“Typically in courses, we have a number of very broad learning goals, and grades are given out on student assignments tied to these broad goals,” Watson says. “But really, it is more a comparison of students rather than a focus on student learning and attainment of desired learning outcomes.”

Passport provides a framework allowing students to earn badges through uploads, sharing links, taking assessments, and through instructor approvals.

Students can show what they know by displaying their digital learning badges through Passport’s portfolio app or as a Mozilla OpenBadge. By actively sharing badges, students can display the evidence tied to each challenge, giving a clearer picture of their learned skills and competencies to potential employers.

Purdue is accepting test pilot applications for a limited number of beta users so that instructors everywhere can explore digital badges for learning. Visit http://purdue.edu/studio to find out more.